LOS ANGELES, April 19 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama told an audience of Democrats in Los Angeles Monday their party faces a "tough political fight" in the November elections.
Speaking at a fundraiser for Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Obama talked about legislative victories on healthcare and economic stimulus but acknowledged the United States and California still face serious challenges.
"The fact is that as tough as the situation has been in Washington, it's been a lot tougher on the ground" for the American people, the president said.
Speaking inside the California Science Center as protesters gathered outside, Obama conceded "change is not coming as fast as we'd like" but drew applause when he said "here is the main message that I have for all of you -- change is coming."
He said the U.S. economy is growing and businesses are starting to hire workers because of decisions his administration made that were not popular with everyone.
"And because some of the things that we did were not popular, we're going to have a tough political fight coming up ... Barbara is going to have a tough race," the president said."
Boxer is expected to win the Democratic nomination and California Republicans are expected to nominate former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina for U.S. Senate.
Obama cautioned California Democrats the general election will not be easy.
"This is where the rubber hits the road and unless Barbara gets the help she needs from all of you ... she might not win this thing," he said.
The fundraiser was one of three Obama was scheduled to attend in California Monday.
